INNISFAIL – By this coming Remembrance Day a new and moving piece of public art could be part of the community’s ongoing commitment to forever salute its military heroes.
The Town of Innisfail's council unanimously approved a motion at its regular meeting on July 28 to give the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104 in Innisfail its blessing to create a memorial crosswalk project at the intersection of 49 Avenue and 50 Street.
Earlier this year the legion received approval for a $1,500 Recreation, Culture, and Tourism Grant from the Town of Innisfail that will help fund the project.
The legion’s idea originally came from Ava Helton, a local high school student.
“She came to the (municipality) in the fall and was suggested to work with the (legion) branch, and she came forward to the branch, and we started working with her on this project early in the new year,” said Trish Proctor, a legion executive board member who gave a presentation on the project to council on July 28.
“She's been fantastic. This is basically her design as well.
“We're really excited to work with her and get this done.”
Proctor told council the memorial crosswalk project will stretch across the 49 Avenue and 50 Street intersection from the east side legion corner to the west where the cenotaph is located.
She said the design of this new public artwork will include red and white squares and a kneeling soldier on each corner.
Below and above the red and white squares there will be a centred WE WILL REMEMBER THEM caption for vehicle occupants and pedestrians to see and reflect.
“We originally talked about doing either a maple leaf or a poppy in the middle. No one wants to drive over those, obviously,” said Proctor, adding legion members will be the ones responsible for placing the public art on the asphalt, and it’s ongoing survival.
“The legion is fully prepared to take on maintenance of this crosswalk for the long term.”
The latter maintenance issue was important for council, as members previously noted that public art on roads and sidewalks tend to fade and become more of an eyesore with repeated motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
“In the past, generically I've spoken against putting down paint on something that would be driven over and ultimately probably messed up,” said Coun. Gavin Bates. “But if the legion is willing to maintain this, I can support it.”
Council was told the legion hopes to raise at least $6,000 for the project, with an eye on ensuring the completed public art maintains its artistic integrity.
“The legion is fundraising for the rest of the money, and then any money over and above what we raise will be put into an account for maintenance for the ongoing years,” said Proctor.
After her council presentation Proctor told the Albertan the legion will be raising money from raffles and accepting donations from legion members and the public, with a goal of having the Memorial Crosswalk project in place for this year’s Remembrance Day observance.
“Fingers crossed. That’s our goal, yes,” said Proctor.
